While large paws rustled a path ahead,
Though anxious, I kept my stride.
Then framed by bars (Thank God),
Tartared teeth ravaged the air above my head,
and baritone barks blustered liked air fractures.

When my glance met those spherule eyes,
upsloped and junctured above those rows of threatening teeth,
I remember thinking, “Maybe barriers have their purpose.”
With only a pause in my stride, I scowled
in self-proclaimed victory.

James Hoover is a recently retired systems engineer. He has advanced degrees in Economics and English. Prior to his aerospace career, he taught high school, and he has also taught college courses. He recently published a science fiction novel called Extraordinary Visitors and writes political columns on several websites. Read other articles by James.

This article was posted on Sunday, June 15th, 2014 at 7:58am and is filed under Poetry.